Will drivers try to cheat 520 tolls?

BY Jamie Skorheim  on January 3, 2012 @ 9:01 am (Updated: 11:00 am - 1/3/12 )

cedargrove
Will some drivers try to avoid tolls by cheating the system? (Image courtesy WSDOT)

Washington transportation officials say traffic this week will be the first true test of the effect of new tolls on 520. Many drivers are expected to take alternate routes to avoid tolls, but will there be some that try to avoid the fee by cheating the system?

"I'm sure there will be a number of different people that are trying to somehow hoodwink the system," said 97.3 KIRO FM's John Curley.

Tolling on the 520 bridge is all electronic. Drivers with a Good to Go pass will have the toll amount deducted from their account, and those without a pass will be billed by mail.

Curley and crew discussed different techniques they've heard of to get around the license plate identification. A newer idea they found intriguing was an $18 spray product that claims it will throw a glare back at the camera.

"PhotoBlocker is a spray that just makes your license plate that much brighter, so when the camera hits it, it beams back the reflection," explained Curley.

Watch a promo for PhotoBlocker spray:

But Seattle Weekly reports such sprays reportedly won't work on the 520 tolls.

Patty Rubstello, the Director of Tolling Systems at the Washington State Department of Transportation, told the Seattle Weekly that any plates not picked up by the camera will go to human review.

"They can see through tactics people use to cover it up," Rubstello said.

But Curley said a loose plate on his car when he was 16-years-old gave him the idea of setting up a wire tied to the plate, that in theory, could keep plate information from being read, even by the human eye.

"With a simple pull back and forth on the wire it causes the plate to flip up in the air," said Curley.

A similar technique was used in the 1981 film "The Cannon Ball Run." (Look for trick at 7:21)

Curley said he never set up the system for himself, thinking if it were discovered by police, he could be in some serious trouble.

And while Curley and team discussed the methods on the program, they say they in no way condone skipping out on the tolls.

By JAMIE GRISWOLD, MyNorthwest.com Editor

Jamie Skorheim, MyNorthwest.com Editor
Whether it's floating on Green Lake, eating shrimp tacos at Agua Verde, or taking weekend drives out to the Cascades, she loves to enjoy the Pacific Northwest lifestyle as much as humanly possible.
More Local News
Top Stories

  • One
    Microsoft calls its new Xbox 'truly intelligent TV'

  • Otherworldly
    Amazon has new plans for huge biospheres on its new campus

  • Nature's Reality Check
    We can conquer terrorism, cure cancer, but a tornado can remind us of our insecurity
MyNorthwest.com - Purpose of Comments statement
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.

Comments (19)


  • Add A Comment

  • dori monson fan wrote...
    like i've been saying for months
    January 3, 2012 10:11 am
    all you need is a $50 license plate flip kit. lots of companies make them now. you can even get wireless ones. be warned though if a police officer catches you they can charge you with possessing burgalary equipment and theft.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • boyerbl wrote...
    RCW 46.16.240
    January 3, 2012 10:42 am
    It is unlawful to use any holders, frames, or any materials that in any manner change, alter, or make the vehicle license number plates illegible. Tinted and non-tinted covers can alter the appearance of or the reflectivity of the plate and make it unreadable or reduce the reflectivity. This also includes obstruction of the plate with a bike rack or by placing the plate in the front window.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    Will drivers try to cheat 520 tolls?
    January 3, 2012 10:55 am
    Is The Pope Catholic?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Dark Jedi wrote...
    Another idea
    January 3, 2012 11:06 am
    Just cover the car in mud, plate and all. Of course if they notify the police, you'll have a difficult time hiding.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • boyerbl wrote...
    The only wa to cheat
    January 3, 2012 11:09 am
    There are only 2 ways to pass without being read. #1 Buy a new car with tinted windows. The temp in your back window is almost impossible to read (but legal). #2 In a heavy down pouring rain storm they can not read your plates.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • hpygolkyone wrote...
    Tolls.......Trolls.......
    January 3, 2012 11:12 am
    For the real "eye-popping" way to get around ticketing......go to the 8:00 minute mark of the second video.

    That is all....

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • boyerbl wrote...
    Dark Jedi said: "Just cover the car in mud, plate and all."
    January 3, 2012 11:31 am
    If the plate is obstructed with mud it is a vilolation. "any materials that in any manner change, alter, or make the vehicle license number plates illegible"
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Realistic Rick wrote...
    I have my method and it is sure to work.
    January 3, 2012 1:09 pm
    Step 1: Go to salvage yard and remove set of older license plates. Step 2: Purchase high-level Gauss magnetic strips. Step 3: Attach magnetic strips to back-side of existing tags and older plates. Reason: license plates made from aluminum. Step 4: Drill-out the older license plate holes to allow the tag bolts/screws to prevent the plates from physical contact with each other. Step 5: Attach the older plates when crossing 520 and remove when your not. Simple and effective. Send the $5.00 fee to an expired tag! Say WA!!!!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • tommytootall wrote...
    thought a lot about this
    January 3, 2012 2:00 pm
    So the main thing I always go back to is that DOT has said they are "only" to use this technology and records to toll but don't say what that is limited to.

    I truly think you could cheat the system. Once. But say your using the fake plate strategy. It would be very easy for them to flag that take plate or any repeat offended so that the moment you get on the bridge they get an alert. Then "for the purpose of collecting tolls" a law enforcement officer could be notified to sit at the other end and verify the plate. I could even see them making anonymous calls for that kind of thing.

    the only way that would 100% work and screw the system is if you hacked the transponders to give someone else's account. Also I'm sure a fake plate starting with WSP wouldn't get a bill in the mail.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Howdy wrote...
    When I'm on my bike
    January 3, 2012 5:51 pm
    I'll just have the old lady cover the plate as we're riding past the cameras.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }